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Twenty-seven heavy-duty aftermarket professionals gathered at Northwood University for the third-annual Heavy Duty Leadership education conference, Aug. 3-8. Heavy Duty Leadership is a week-long leadership development program specifically designed for professionals working in the North American commercial vehicle aftermarket. Students in the year’s class represented a wide range of heavy-duty aftermarket job functions and geographies and immersed themselves deeply into understanding the nuances of the business of their chosen field.
“This was a week to work on the business, rather than in it,” said Steve Goggins of Caterpillar. “I enjoyed the sessions as much as getting to know my classmates. We spent a lot of time – even after hours – talking about leadership, the industry and the challenges we all face on a daily basis.”

Participants in this year’s class included:

Bob Angliss, AxleTech International

Paul Boggeman, Plaza Fleet Parts

Kevin Bouder, Navistar

Joseph Boydstun, MTP Drivetrain Services

Casey Brannigan, Advance Autoparts

Thomas Braun, Royal Purple

Curtis Burdick, Attica Auto Supply/CARQUEST

Brian Burns, Great Dane Trailers

Randy George, Betts Company

Steven Goggins, Caterpillar Inc

Steve Hansen, Minimizer

Brian Jungmann, SKF USA Inc.

Mark Kostecki, Gates Corporation

Daniel Lewis, Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.

Sam Marco, Meritor

Kenyatta Matlock, SKF USA Inc.

Thomas Muck, The Timken Company

Cynthia Norris, AxleTech International

Nikki Paschall, HDA Truck Pride

Steve Plomin, ORAFOL Americas

Andrew Purcell, Stone Truck Parts

Steven Quiet, Sanel Auto Parts

Jaime Rogan, VIPAR Heavy Duty

Timothy Sayers, The Marx Group

Sharon Schafer, FleetPride

David Shapiro, RS Marketing Company

Cameron Van Steenburgh, Quinte Truck & Trailer Parts

“This is the third Heavy Duty Leadership program we’ve held, and each year the class size increases,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, MAAP. “Obviously, the commercial vehicle aftermarket needs this kind of program, and we are pleased that this is turning into an annual event.”

The program opened on Sunday night at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies with a keynote presentation from AxleTech Vice President and General Manager Joe Mejaly. He spoke to the class about his view of career management and leadership in the commercial vehicle aftermarket. The week included other leadership and industry-focused sessions from faculty drawn from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management and the heavy-duty aftermarket industry.

“I really enjoyed hearing the different perspectives from around the industry and from different competitors and customers. The diversity of the class really added to the experience,” added Paul Boggeman of Plaza Fleet Parts.

“For me,” echoed HDA Truck Pride’s Nikki Paschall, “it was important to hear different opinions from suppliers as well as our HDA Truck Pride members and non-members.”

Graduates earned 3.5 continuing education units that can be applied toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. To learn more about Heavy Duty Leadership and other University of the Aftermarket programs, call 1-800-551-2882, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com.

Northwood University is a regionally accredited, nonprofit institution.

Northwood University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability or veteran status. The University also is committed to compliance with all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination. Northwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.